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| This is the first time in seventeen years. While we don’t make a huge production out of “special” days, Sunday will be odd. It’s the first Father’s Day my daughter won’t be home. She’ll be in Germany for a month. I’ll miss seeing her smile and watching her interact with her friends at Stones River. How odd heaven must have been while Jesus came to earth. I doubt the angels had ever seen the Father without the Son. “When will he return?” I can imagine one of the angels asking another. “I wonder if he will experience homesickness?” another ponders. “Exactly why does God love them that much?” may have been the supreme question. The Apostle Paul indicated that Jesus’ redemption of the church was part of the Father’s eternal purpose. Jesus called the church so that the “manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 3:10). They witnessed wisdom that blew their minds! It was incomprehensible that the Father and Son would ever allow time and space to impact their relationship. While Father’s Day will be different for me, nothing could have prepared the angelic host for how different heaven was during those years. The Son was perfectly in tune with the Father’s will during his earthly life. He stayed pure and holy—just like his Father. He taught the disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven…” He always turned his heart heavenward whether they were moments of joy or agony. But never before had he experienced that. The cross brought a new experience. Forsakeness. This was radically different than anything the Son had tasted prior to leaving heaven. But his association with humanity was so complete—so thorough—he went all the way with us! Jesus drank the cup down to its bitter dregs. The one who knew no sin became sin for us. If ever you doubt your heavenly Father’s love for you, just go back to the cross. Remember the excruciating aloneness the Son tasted so you could always be in the Father’s presence. I am glad they are reunited. I look forward to Rachel’s return. Reunion is such a sweet experience. John Kenneth King |
From the Desk of John King 